In a surprising turn of events over the last couple of months, the University of Georgia has secured a towering addition to its offensive line with the commitment of Jahzare Jackson. On Monday, the former basketball standout from Overtime Elite (OTE) announced that he would join the Bulldogs as an offensive lineman, marking a significant shift from his basketball career.
Jackson, who turned 20 in January, is 6-foot-10 and weighs a whopping 335 pounds. He initially seemed destined for a future in basketball, playing alongside notable stars like Bronny James on the AAU circuit and Alexandre Sarr, the 2024 number-one pick in the NBA Draft, at OTE. Despite this, his athletic journey took an unexpected turn, leading him to pursue football and ultimately commit to Georgia.
Jackson joined the Bulldogs after a whirlwind recruitment process that saw him visit Florida State, Florida, Mississippi State and finally, Georgia. His official visit to Athens from June 21-23 was the final step in a rapid recruitment that began earlier this year.
“I fell in love with the coaches,” Jackson said. “I fell in love with the school. Players were welcoming when I got there. I’m still in Georgia, too, at the end of the day. That was a big thing for me, still being able to be in Georgia. I just felt like when I got there, it was home for real. All the coaches were cool.”
Jackson’s transition from basketball to football is unconventional but promising. Initially a three-star basketball prospect from IMG Academy, he joined OTE in Atlanta, where he played with top talents and gained significant attention. Despite receiving professional basketball offers from Greece, Spain and the G League, Jackson decided to return to his football roots.
Jackson’s path back to football began with the encouragement of his family, particularly his mother and uncle. They urged him to reconsider football, leading him to hire a trainer and attend a football camp at Florida State in early June. This camp sparked significant interest, with Florida and Georgia quickly following suit.
Jackson explained how interactions with Kirby Smart impacted his recruiting process during his commitment-announcement interview with OTE.
“He was kind of just explaining to me that if you stay here for two years, you’re going to develop your first year, and then you’re going to start your second year,” Jackson said. “[Smart] also let me know that he was going to get on me. He was going to coach me hard, and he wasn’t going to treat me differently from any of his other players.”
Georgia’s coaching staff, led by offensive line coach Stacy Searels, was impressed by Jackson’s physical attributes and potential. Despite not having played competitive football since middle school, Jackson’s size, agility, and footwork from basketball provide a strong foundation for his development as an offensive tackle.
Jackson’s commitment adds to Georgia’s already stellar recruiting class. He becomes the seventh offensive lineman in the 2024 cycle. Jackson ranks as the No. 45 offensive tackle in the country and the No. 61 overall prospect in California. This addition strengthens Georgia’s standing, maintaining its position as the No. 1 class in the 247Sports Team Class Rankings.
As Jackson prepares to join the Bulldogs later this summer, he has already embraced the challenge and opportunity ahead.
“I trust my athletic abilities to get me there and to handle my business at the end of the day,” Jackson said. “It’s been good. [It’s really] a blessing at the end of the day. Just trying to stay grateful for the opportunities, and for people believing in me and seeing something they haven’t even seen on film yet.”
Georgia fans eagerly anticipate seeing how Jackson’s basketball skills translate to the gridiron, and his commitment marks another exciting chapter in the Bulldogs’ recruiting success.